TheFinancialBirder

I was working in Chichester early this morning and so after my appointment, I had a couple of hours to take a walk around the Gravel Pits. So, in my suit, I strolled down the footpath searching for migrants and other goodies. It was another clear blue sky day with a northerly breeze blowing over the water.
Almost immediately, I heard a Reed Warbler singing over within the reeds within the first pool opposite Ivy Lake. Though despite a lengthy search, the bird would not show. On the Lake, up to 6 Common Terns were seen perching on buoys. Though distant, I took a few photos of the birds, which were a little too distant. No Black Terns though or Swifts come to think of it which was surprising.
Sedge Warblers showed very well today, holding territory in various areas along the footpath. One individual perched just ten feet away and began singing, totally oblivious to my presence. A male Blackcap showed very well also, perching on a Willow but not quite long enough for me to grab a few photos. The bugger!
I finally caught up with my first sighting of a Reed Warbler this year. An individual was singing deep within reeds by Trout Lake and I saw it fly from one reed to another, but that was it!
Raptors today included a female Sparrowhawk flying into a roadside hedge, flushing all the Starlings out. A pair of Common Buzzards soared over woodland and fields behind Trout Lake, being mobbed by a Crow in the process. A Green Woodpecker, which was most vocal during my walk, was eventually seen flying over the lakes heading east.
Though a couple of Great Crested Grebes swam on the water, the wildfowl was a little scarce. But a pair of Gadwall was swimming on the east end of Ivy Lake but most surprising was a drake Ruddy Duck swimming on the pool where I first heard the Reed Warbler near the car. The duck was displaying but no female was present!
Another flock of Pomarine Skuas flew past Selsey Bill at 10.30am this morning, so I have to take another look here in the near future. A couple of Hoopoes have been present in Hampshire this week, one at Fawley and another at Swanwick. Lets hope we get one a little nearer to home.
When I got home this afternoon, the sky was overcast with very light rain. Then when stepping out of the car, I heard the familiar call of Swifts and sure enough, a flock of six birds flew high overhead circling over the houses. My first of the year.

Piczo